Beverly Kiwanis to Sponsor Bicycle Rodeo at Beverly High School

Each year, approximately 400 children between the ages of 0-14 are killed in bicycle crashes. Thousands more are treated in emergency rooms for bicycle-releated injuries. While bicycle helmets have been shown to reduce the risk of head injury by 85%, only 5% of all children cyclists nationwide use bicycle helmets. Many children and their parents are unaware of these statistics and the basic techniques for staying safe while riding a bicycle.

In response to these facts, approved bicycle helmets will be given to children, as well as a limited number of bicycles. There will also be several bicycle stations where riders can learn bicycle safety skills and practice them in a safe setting.

The Beverly Kiwanis & Beverly Police have traditionally run the rodeo during Homecoming Weeek at Lynch Park. This year, the event will move the the Beverly High School in an effort to bring Homecoming events to various sections of the city. The high school venue will allow for some new additions to the rodeo.

An addition to the event is a visit by Boston MedFlight. They are scheduled to land one of their helicopters at the field during the event. Children and parents will see the inside of the aircraft, and the crew will explain the facets of patient transport by air, and the various safety procedures that the onboard team must follow.

For further information contact Rene Gagnon at 978-927-7161, or Dean Porteous at 978-922-9113

The Kiwanis Club of Beverly sponsors many other youth projects, including the Kiwanis-YMCA Basketball League and the Beverly High School Key Club. They also support the Kiwanis Pediatric Trauma Center at the Tufts-New England Medical Center in Boston.